From Poona to Kenya, when Berjeesh Surty made a transition three decades earlier, he was confronted with "a new continent, new countries, new cultures, new rules of engagement, little assistance, poor infrastructure and inexperience. I was swimming in the deep end.” Now well ensconced in the region, familiar with the environment, the energy resources, the economics, the ethos, he is riding the wave as founder, chairman and managing director of the Spenomatic group of companies. His first company, Spenomatic Kenya Ltd recently marked its silver jubilee.
Top: boiler project and (center) solar project executed by Spenomatic;
below: export quality rose cultivated by XFlora group
In the last 25 years the maiden venture has expanded to include four companies in the group that deal in solar power, boilers, water treatment and industrial chemicals. Operating in 14 countries in Africa and employing about 700 people, they bring the world’s latest and Africa-appropriate technologies in the areas of renewable/clean energy, water and waste water management, and environmentally friendly chemicals. Having won several awards over the years, "the dearest one to me has been the validation when in 2016 Deloitte did a confidential survey of ‘Best Companies to work for in Kenya’ and we came fifth behind world majors like DHL and Diageo,” reported 60-year-old Surty. After a brief interaction with Parsiana in Poona when he had come to receive his citation from the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) at the global conclave in early January, he responded to our queries by email and on WhatsApp.
The largest local EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) provider for solar PV (photovoltaic) systems in East Africa, Spenomatic is known to have installed the largest roof-mounted solar plant in the region, according to its website. For two consecutive years it was rated as the "Best Solar Company in Kenya” and was subsequently nominated as among the three "Best Solar Companies across Africa.” Expanding in the commercial and industrial segments, they are now making their presence felt in the home solar segment as well. Berjeesh’s daughter Nikita and son Trishaad having joined the family business, they have co-founded Spenomatic Solar Home Solutions Ltd. "We intend to make a huge impact on reducing the ill effects of climate change across the continent,” announced Berjeesh.
It is a matter of considerable pride for him that "we slowly and steadily managed to convince industry to shift from fossil fuels like petroleum to waste biomass as a source of energy. Today over 95% of industry operates on waste biomass in East and Central Africa.” They optimally use agricultural waste or biomass which is available in large quantities in the form of sawdust, coffee husk, rice husk, macadamia nut shells, corn cobs, sugarcane bagasse, etc to generate energy. "This is not only a cheap source of alternative energy over fossil fuels but also a clean source of energy since it reduces carbon emissions,” reminded Berjeesh, taking pride that his company holds a 90% share in the boiler industry.
Spenomatic diversified its portfolio by installing its first water treatment plant to address the critical need for clean and potable water in East Africa. In 2017 they started yet another venture, Spenomatic Labs and Chemicals offering alternate chemicals to harmful or toxic ones, or using minimal chemicals in various industries like sugar, food, edible oil and soap, leather, etc. This company also helps long-term backup of chemicals needed to efficiently operate boilers, power plants, water treatment plants, effluent treatment plants, etc.
From l: Trishaad, Nikita, Berjeesh and Anu Surty
"Fear of failure”
Berjeesh has yet not forgotten the years in the mid-1990s when he decided to become an entrepreneur: "Getting capital without collateral was impossible” so there was no option but to finance his ventures through internal accruals. Also confronting him was the reality of: "no regular salary, no perks, savings eroding, and the nagging fear of failure. But it was my wife Anu (née Raha) who had not an iota of doubt. With her deep and resolute faith in the Almighty, she stood by me like the rock of Gibraltar. And we never looked back,” acknowledged Berjeesh. Anu too is an entrepreneur running a scientific detox center, Kreo-cleanse and a travel agency Turizam Ltd for inbound safaris into Kenya.
When analyzing the factors that contribute to an entrepreneur’s success, Berjeesh realized that more important than "IQ (intelligence quotient), EQ (emotional quotient) or SQ (social quotient) is AQ (adversity quotient, a person’s ability to manage difficulties and transform obstacles into opportunities).”
Once he had established himself in the field of energy solutions, Berjeesh joined hands with three other founder directors to start the XFlora group in 2007. "This is a capital intensive business... Today it comprises five companies, four of them to grow roses for export to world markets, and one for potatoes and blueberries. The companies operate on 1,200 acres of self-owned land… Today we are the 10th largest rose growing company in the world with 2,500 employees, exporting 4,00,000 rose stems daily, totalling 115- 125 million roses every year.” Exporting to markets in Europe, Japan, Australia, Canada, Middle East and South Africa, their brand Amor is considered amongst the top 10 rose brands in FloraHolland, the world’s largest auction center. "It was a matter of great pride when in 2015 FloraHolland gave one of our farms the Jury’s Award for the best rose farm on a worldwide basis,” declared Berjeesh.
They also grow blueberries for export markets in Australia, potatoes and avocadoes for the local market. "Most importantly, the farms are all in rural areas, helping to uplift the economic conditions of the surrounding communities” by providing gainful employment, drinking water and covering the educational costs for high performing children of workers. Berjeesh expressed "a deep sense of satisfaction to be able to employ so many people and enable and empower their lives.”
The combined annual business turnover from his enterprises ranging between USD 60-70 million (Rs 499.98 crore), Berjeesh finds "a way to do some good every day of my life.” He offers pro bono mentorship to entrepreneurs and others in the social space. As secretary of The Nairobi Parsee Zoroastrian Anjuman for the last over 15 years, he has been working cohesively to run the affairs of the community. The other office bearers of the Anjuman are chairman Phil Dastur, treasurer Xerxes Postwalla and trustee Pheroze Nowrojee. "Operating in a generally toxic mercantile and financial ethos, he is held by his peers in business, as by the public, the authorities, and us, his community, in the highest esteem for his integrity and ability,” wrote Postwalla when endorsing Surty’s nomination for recognition by WZCC (see "Value and virtue,” pg 28).
There are around 50 Parsis in Nairobi, according to Berjeesh. He has been given credit for helping expat families to settle down in their new abode as also bringing down priests from Poona for navjote and wedding ceremonies. From its cash assets the Anjuman helps poor Parsis and also looks after its cemetery. The members get together for Navroz and New Year celebrations. "I’m just back from one such get-together for Navroz when there was sumptuous Parsi food,” mentioned Berjeesh on Sunday, March 24.
"Prayer and faith are an integral and essential part of my life. Whenever I reached a dead end where I just did not know how to solve things, I would pray hard and ask for divine intervention and support. Never ever has it not come.” Even though he views himself as a liberal, performing his kusti prayers is an important daily routine.
Berjeesh and his younger sister Sanober’s formative years were spent in Calcutta and Jamshedpur. His schooling was at La Martiniere for Boys after which he completed his graduation in mechanical engineering and diploma in marketing. His mother Hilla’s insistence on good education equipped him to have the fortitude to think independently and never be afraid of failure. From his father Dady he learnt the importance of hard work.
In Jamshedpur, he witnessed "the Tatas were omnipresent! I saw their dedication to nation building, to give back to their employees, to create wealth that empowered the people, yet there was such humility in everything they did. I developed an inner and deep understanding of their ethos. It became a guiding light for me to follow in my future endeavors.”
When he secured his first job with Thermax, he was in charge of sales at their Calcutta branch. "I loved every moment, finding solutions to complex client problems, bringing clarity to customers’ minds, the freedom to innovate, finally closing the transaction,” he recalled his satisfaction. With acquisition of in-depth knowledge of equipment in the tea industry manufacturing process, his next posting was in Poona. Thereafter Thermax assigned him responsibilities in Nairobi as business head for East Africa at a time when there were no emails, no mobiles, and telephones that often did not work, he summed up the operations scenario. Two years later he decided to start his own venture.
A firm believer in the concept of win-win approach to work, Berjeesh acknowledges the contribution of his team: colleagues, subordinates, suppliers, customers, banks, financiers, friends and family. "We are all interdependent on each other. You are as good as they are. Without them there is no success.”